9 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Most Thai banks lately ask for ID card from home country, I have had this with Kasikorn - UOB - CIMB, but not for an address in your home country

Are you referring to situation of opening a new bank account?

My understanding is Kasikorn now require proof of address in pp country.

For many this is not an issue.

Can be as simple as DL etc.

For some can be an issue

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Are you referring to situation of opening a new bank account?

My understanding is Kasikorn now require proof of address in pp country.

For many this is not an issue.

Can be as simple as DL etc

Yes new accounts. My national ID doesn't show an address, since it was issued at the Embassy.

UOB even let it go, as i told them my passport is my ID. They called headoffice and dropped the demand

9 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Yes new accounts. My national ID doesn't show an address, since it was issued at the Embassy.

Certainly will be an issue for some.

For some it no big deal.

Just by way of example my Oz DL has address on the license.

Also have properties etc that I can use as address.

Many folk do not so it's certainly an issue for some.

In particular for future expats wanting to live in Thailand.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Certainly will be an issue for some.

For some it no big deal.

Just by way of example my Oz DL has address on the license.

Also have properties etc that I can use as address.

Many folk do not so it's certainly an issue for some.

In particular for future expats wanting to live in Thailand.

As I already said, and address in my home country was never asked about, just ID card

34 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

As I already said, and address in my home country was never asked about, just ID card

Don't follow. The recent reports to open new Kasikorn a/c the bank has required proof of address in pp country.

Previously pp was sufficient.

No longer for Kasikorn.

52 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

UOB even let it go, as i told them my passport is my ID.

This is not about UOB

Open a new account at Kasikorn and let us know the requirements

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't follow. The recent reports to open new Kasikorn a/c the bank has required proof of address in pp country.

Previously pp was sufficient.

No longer for Kasikorn.

This is not about UOB

Open a new account at Kasikorn and let us know the requirements

Then read here the post of @KhunBENQ only a week ago.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1387709-id-card-required-to-open-new-account/#findComment-20565428

3 hours ago, CallumWK said:

Then read here the post of @KhunBENQ only a week ago.

Like everything with Thailand. Requirements be it banks or immigration offices etc will vary.

Sometimes it's as simple as lost in translation.

From the reports I have read it seems Kasikorn are now, requiring proof of address in pp country as a new additional doc to open a bank account

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Certainly will be an issue for some.

For some it no big deal.

Just by way of example my Oz DL has address on the license.

Also have properties etc that I can use as address.

Many folk do not so it's certainly an issue for some.

In particular for future expats wanting to live in Thailand.

I don't want to move away from the initial thread but -

I moved my bank account (BBL) to Surin province 10 years ago, eventually deciding to open another account to get a better interest rate (Pre covid)

Every single bank i went to refused me a bank account unless i had a work permit how is a retiree supposed to get a bank account in isaan if every bank is refusing them. How has everyone else got one or did they get one in tourist area and then transfer it?

23 minutes ago, Dene16 said:

How has everyone else got one or did they get one in tourist area and then transfer it?

Certainly a work permit is not required however can be provided by those that have a work permit.

Requirements will vary from bank to bank.

Currently Non Immigrant status and perhaps COR + lease etc could be required by the bank.

Requirements change. My first ever bank account about 15 yr back was opened while I had a tourist visa.

That currently is not possible.

For new folk wishing to move to Thailand (expats) it's a must to obtain the Non O e-Visa prior to entering Thailand.

With a Non O you should be able to open bank account.

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Certainly a work permit is not required however can be provided by those that have a work permit.

Requirements will vary from bank to bank.

Currently Non Immigrant status and perhaps COR + lease etc could be required by the bank.

Requirements change. My first ever bank account about 15 yr back was opened while I had a tourist visa.

That currently is not possible.

For new folk wishing to move to Thailand (expats) it's a must to obtain the Non O e-Visa prior to entering Thailand.

With a Non O you should be able to open bank account.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For new folk wishing to move to Thailand (expats) it's a must to obtain the Non O e-Visa prior to entering Thailand.

With a Non O you should be able to open bank account.

i was already on a retirement extension of stay and had been for many years however this made absolutely no difference. Every bank in Surin refused point blank to give me a bank account without holding a work permit. did i need to force them to contact head office?

29 minutes ago, Dene16 said:

Every bank in Surin refused point blank to give me a bank account without holding a work permit.

Cannot advise further.

You stated ...

"i was already on a retirement extension of stay and had been for many years"

You cannot even have a work permit with extension based on retirement.

Which bank have you tried.

Approx 3-4 years ago I opened two accounts with Kasikorn in Bangkok.

I had Non immigrant status and also showed a lease for address.

Times change. Believe now same bank may also require a COR.

And new additional proof of address in pp country.

Certainly would not require a work permit as I'm not permitted to have one.

57 minutes ago, Dene16 said:

i was already on a retirement extension of stay and had been for many years however this made absolutely no difference. Every bank in Surin refused point blank to give me a bank account without holding a work permit. did i need to force them to contact head office?

Yes, you probably should have asked them to contact their head office.

Before going to a local branch again, you should probably check the banks website to see it shows the bank's requirements for a foreigner to open a bank account - if so, and it includes a basis other than having a work permit, you could point that out to the branch manager. In all likelihood that will result in the manager contacting their headquarters for guidance.

I'm original instigator of bank kerfuffle letter. It doesn't matter which bank it is. Banking should be ubiquitous nationwide with rational policies handed down by a national authority, not made up differently at various branches. My work around was to visit various branches until I found one that would issue letter. This method should not be required. BTW, changing banks is not an easy method. At time I was unsure if other banks had similar policy. I use bank as recipient of pension payments and as "go to" account on numerous services. These threads indicate Thai banking system needs a review.

40 minutes ago, soisanuk said:

Before going to a local branch again, you should probably check the banks website to see it shows the bank's requirements for a foreigner to open a bank account

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

You cannot even have a work permit with extension based on retirement.

Which bank have you tried.

Went to 3 separate banks, cant remember which ones but all in Robinsons mall, each one refusing me a bank account. Even had a residence certificate. i will be trying again this year so just wondered if others had come across this problem in the isaan outback. No longer on extension due to covid but will redo when necessary.

On 7/1/2026 at 4:53 PM, Sigmund said:

Change Banks. They don't deserve your money if do not provide top notch service. Don't spoil them.

I think said bank would not care in the least if retirees needing income statements left. Sucks but it is what it is....

Interesting that it is even an issue though because I'm not aware of agencies that "take care" of income requirements and printing statements is easy. Another sign that we aren't special anymore :)

2 hours ago, Dene16 said:

i was already on a retirement extension of stay and had been for many years however this made absolutely no difference. Every bank in Surin refused point blank to give me a bank account without holding a work permit. did i need to force them to contact head office?

10 yrs ago Bangkok bank in Sakon Nakhon told me foreigners can't have a bank account. They just didn't want to deal with a foreigner.

29 minutes ago, Dene16 said:

Went to 3 separate banks, cant remember which ones but all in Robinsons mall, each one refusing me a bank account. Even had a residence certificate.

I'm confused. When did you try at these banks in Robinsons.

What was your status. Non Immigrant or Tourist

20 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm confused. When did you try at these banks in Robinsons.

What was your status. Non Immigrant or Tourist

year before covid while on a non immigrant extension of stay. Each bank was aware of this but all stated i could only open an account with a work permit even though we know this not to be true. It made no difference what i said they just went back to the work permit

On 7/1/2026 at 9:20 AM, david rucker said:

Chalong branch of blue bank refused issuing bank ltr because I didn't have 800,000 Baht deposited. I use income method for Immigration. Immigration suggested depositing 800,000 baht or change banks! Later found work around but am dismayed @ blue bank's policy.

Change banks. Problem solved.

19 minutes ago, Base32 said:

Change banks. Problem solved.

That won't work to renew his current annual extension.

1 hour ago, Dene16 said:

Went to 3 separate banks, cant remember which ones but all in Robinsons mall, each one refusing me a bank account. Even had a residence certificate. i will be trying again this year so just wondered if others had come across this problem in the isaan outback. No longer on extension due to covid but will redo when necessary.

I'd say 75% of the cases I hear of people saying it's "impossible" to open a bank account, are out in the sticks such as you have referenced.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

I'd say 75% of the cases I hear of people saying it's "impossible" to open a bank account, are out in the sticks such as you have referenced.

Especially If those people need to take their wife along to "help". I've had 100% success with opening bank accounts in Bangkok, all by myself, on the other hand.

I too had a small issue with my local Bangkok Bank and the letter for immigration. The counter staff asked if the letter was for 400k or 800k. I told neither, it's the monthly income method. After some discussion with the manager, they just wrote a letter saying I had a bank account with them and stamped it. There were no details of account balance on it. I had put in 500Baht and updated the passbook.

I thought this would be a problem at Immigration, it wasn't. I had my 12-month bank statement with me and the IO's checked that my pensions had been paid in. My two UK pensions are paid in monthly and on the statement, they are listed as Bahtnet. Not an issue either...

I was a bit miffed, the IO threw my printed out google map in the bin and insisted on hand drawn one - Phetchabun IO

4 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

10 yrs ago Bangkok bank in Sakon Nakhon told me foreigners can't have a bank account. They just didn't want to deal with a foreigner.

When I opened an account with BKB in Ban Kruat the manager asked his clerk if I was American. When I replied that I was English he said that was OK but he would not open accounts for Americans.

Inconsistency, bigotry and racism exists in Thailand......especially rural Thailand.

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

When I opened an account with BKB in Ban Kruat the manager asked his clerk if I was American. When I replied that I was English he said that was OK but he would not open accounts for Americans.

Inconsistency, bigotry and racism exists in Thailand......especially rural Thailand.

I don't think it has to do with bigotry or racism at all. The US government just requires a ton of paperwork for someone to open a bank account overseas, and the manager of that bank doesn't want to deal with it.

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

When I replied that I was English he said that was OK but he would not open accounts for Americans.

Explained by AI. Here, is first sentence from detailed explanation. ...

"Thai banks are reluctant to take American customers primarily due to the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)"

9 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

I don't think it has to do with bigotry or racism at all. The US government just requires a ton of paperwork for someone to open a bank account overseas, and the manager of that bank doesn't want to deal with it.

For me being from US hadn't entered the conversation.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

I don't think it has to do with bigotry or racism at all. The US government just requires a ton of paperwork for someone to open a bank account overseas, and the manager of that bank doesn't want to deal with it.

The fact that he added "I don't like Americans"......... could be a misnomer for not liking the related paperwork - or it could be racist, take your pick.

6 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

10 yrs ago Bangkok bank in Sakon Nakhon told me foreigners can't have a bank account. They just didn't want to deal with a foreigner.

12 years ago I opened an account at Bangkok Bank with no more than my passport and signed copies of my landlady's Tabien Baan and ID card.

I live in a rural area of Isaan.

23 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

12 years ago I opened an account at Bangkok Bank with no more than my passport and signed copies of my landlady's Tabien Baan and ID card.

I live in a rural area of Isaan.

12 years ago you could have opened an account in Bangkok with nothing more than your passport. They did want an address, but they weren't interested in seeing any proof.

Relevance nowadays: None whatsoever.